Accusing the Delhi police personnel of remaining passive and not providing protection to the people during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the Nanavati Commission on Monday said if 'timely action' had been taken by the police againstrioters, many lives could have probably been saved.

Making a number of general observations about the role of Delhi police during the riots, the Commission, in its 339-page report said 'police personnel remained passive and did not provide protection to the people.'

The government, it said, had noted all such general observations for taking appropriate remedial action and to advise the Delhi police and state governments to ensure that police personnel performed their duties properly in such situations in future.